The initiative to ban or bury the independent newspaper Marine Corps Times originated in May on a rather tight timeline at the behest of Gen. Jim Amos, the services commandant, newly obtained emails show. The exchange occurred just days before Marine Corps Times published an investigative report spotlighting allegations Amos abused his authority. Marine Corps Times authenticated the internal discussion from May 15, 2013, that contradicts official statements offered recently in response to the services abrupt and questionable decision in December to relocate the newspaper away from checkout lines at Marine Corps Exchange stores worldwide. Officials have described the move as an effort to professionalize checkout counters, refuting the suggestion it was retaliation for the newspapers ongoing coverage of allegations surrounding Amos. On Feb. 12, amid growing criticism ...